She drew a steadying breath and continued:
Orli "—Rest assured. I want Harry to survive as well. Our fundamental objectives align perfectly."
Dumbledore "Actually, I hadn't anticipated..."
Dumbledore studied Orli, words hanging unfinished:
Dumbledore "If you already knew this truth, I assumed you might harbor feelings toward Harry..."
Orli "You believe I'd resent Harry for it?"
She met Dumbledore's penetrating gaze:
Orli "I acknowledge I'm neither noble nor saintly. I experience those emotions you're imagining. But I wouldn't harm Harry over such circumstances—you needn't worry. Harry remains my friend."
Dumbledore "Yet you do considerably more than friendship demands."
Dumbledore released a weary sigh.
Dumbledore "Is it because..."
Orli "I refuse to discuss this further."
Orli interjected swiftly:
Orli "I protect Harry because he's my friend—not because of whose son he happens to be."
Another stretch of profound silence.
Fawkes shifted restlessly upon his golden perch, magnificent feathers rustling with agitation.
Dumbledore "Orli, you've always possessed remarkable intelligence."
Dumbledore ventured cautiously:
Dumbledore "Have you considered that Severus might have spoken those words to protect you?"
Orli "I prefer trusting what he told me directly rather than my own speculation."
Orli rose decisively:
Orli "You needn't fabricate such illusions—I'll stand with you regardless. If there's nothing else..."
Snape "Waters!"
A shadowy figure emerged abruptly from behind towering bookshelves lining the wall.
Orli "Again?!"
Orli forced herself to ignore Snape's dramatic entrance, directing furious attention toward Dumbledore instead:
Orli "Wasn't orchestrating this juvenile charade once sufficient?! You're actually staging a second performance?!"
Dumbledore "This arrangement wasn't mine."
Dumbledore glanced between Snape and Orli:
Dumbledore "Severus refused to depart my office."
Orli "Then you gentlemen may conduct your business. I'm leaving."
Orli strode toward the exit without backward glance.
Dumbledore "Orli—"
Dumbledore called after her:
Dumbledore "This estrangement between you is utterly unnecessary. I believe you should communicate properly—Voldemort hasn't even acted yet, so how can we destroy what we treasure with our own hands?"
Orli stood motionless. She refused to display weakness before Dumbledore.
Dumbledore "Severus."
Dumbledore addressed Snape directly:
Dumbledore "Though I don't know precisely what you told Orli previously, I suspect your words weren't entirely sincere, were they?"
Snape "This concerns only us. I prefer we resolve it privately."
Snape regarded Dumbledore with compressed lips.
Orli "Forgive the disturbance, Headmaster. We'll continue outside."
Orli struggled to compose her emotions, nodded respectfully to Dumbledore, and pushed through the door.
The seventh-floor corridor stretched silent through midnight darkness. Only Orli's footsteps echoed within stone walls. Seconds later, another set of footfalls followed at careful distance.
Orli moved with urgent purpose. After navigating two corners, the familiar tapestry depicting trolls appeared ahead. She paced thrice before it, then slipped through the materializing square door of black walnut.
Moments later, the door reopened. Snape entered.
Snape "Orli..."
Alone now, he used her given name again.
Orli "Orli?"
Orli challenged sharply.
Snape "Orli, please don't... When we're alone, we can still interact normally..."
Snape pleaded desperately.
Orli "What constitutes 'normal interaction'?"
Orli laughed with bitter fury.
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